Nathan Holic

Category: Movie Reviews

  • Best Iraq War Films

    Here we are at the end of the Iraq War, at the end of a long and winding and exhausting time period in American international politics. But listen: I’ve never made a political post on my blog before, and I’m not about to start now! Over the course of the last seven years or so,…

  • The Hang-Over Part II

    Here’s my new rule about comedy sequels: if at least 1/3 of the jokes are references to the original film, then there’s no real reason to see the sequel. This was the case with Meet the Fockers and American Pie 2, two movies that tried to duplicate the original films to such a degree that–when…

  • Midnight Meat Train

    Even though Midnight Meat Train sounds like a really terrible porno, I was able to convince my wife that it was acceptable for me to rent because Bradley Cooper is the star. Granted, she still wouldn’t watch it with me, but I just want to go on record by saying this, first and foremost: God…

  • Wizard of Gore

    So the name of the movie is Wizard of Gore, and I know what you’re thinking: why would you ever rent a movie called Wizard of Gore and expect it to be any good? That’s a valid question, I suppose, right up there with, “Why did you buy Redneck Zombies on VHS when you were…

  • Cabin Fever 2

    So…there’s a special place in my heart for direct-to-video horror sequels. And I can’t really explain why. Maybe it’s because, when I was younger, my parents used to give me a wad of cash and let me wander the old “Video Giant” and pick out horror movies in October as part of their “seven movies…

  • Best Worst Movie

    “Best Worst Movie” is too good to be true, a documentary about one of the most ridiculous movies ever created…And because I’d never seen “Troll 2” (the best worst movie that this documentary profiles), every excerpt and every reference was made that much more ridiculous. You’ll watch a scene from the film and you’ll think,…

  • The Box (2009)

      It’s tough to be super-critical of “The Box,” because it’s the sort of movie that really does take chances, and it really wants to be the sort of horror movie whose story offers deep commentary on society and culture. Most horror movies are satisfied, after all, with a mildly interesting concept (or a killer/slasher…

  • Paranormal Activity II, and the Motivations of Demons

    I’ve learned not to expect too much from horror sequels. Last week, after all, I watched Lost Boys: The Thirst, and I don’t need to write a review to tell you how that one turned out. And anyone remember Blair Witch 2, which was much slicker than the original but which took that franchise into…

  • Feast II: Sloppy Seconds

    I don’t remember being impressed by the original Feast, but because I have a sick fascination with direct-to-video sequels, I decided to rent Feast II: Sloppy Seconds. This came right on the heels of Cabin Fever 2, which was not only a massive disappointment, but an unrelenting and mean-spirited gross-out/gore-fest without redeeming characters or plot.…

  • Funny Games, and Horror as Social Commentary

    Funny Games is a slick and stylish horror film, very moody and atmospheric and tense throughout its entire running time, but it absolutely fails in its director’s mission to create a worthwhile piece of social commentary. Here’s the basic premise: a rich white family is summering at a lake, and suddenly some teenagers (who claim…